Conversation: How Talk Can Change Our Lives

A very objective and well written book.If you want to improve your relationship with people in general so read this book

First, I love Zeldin's manner of thinking. His intellect connects amazingly well with reality! What a joy and an exception. This book is suprisingly powerful in its combination of insight and simplicity. You will find yourself saying over and over, "I knew that!" but in a way that indicates you didn't know it in the way Zeldin just said it. A MAJOR added benefit of this work is the collection of color plates, paintings by Zeldin that he uses so well to illustrate his verbal points of connection. The colors are amazing and the connections are right on. Superb!

I heard about this book on an old radio interview with the author, Mr. Zeldin. I was impressed enough to buy the book. I think the ideas in the book are way ahead of our times, which is why I'd like to recommend it to everyone. It's a fast read, you can get through it in an afternoon easily. But the ideas are as profound as those in A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I'm sure I'll read this book over and over at odd times.

With this book, Theodore Zeldin reminds us that the thoughts we translate from electrical charges spurting about our craniums into lines of airborne vibrations named WORDS are so powerful. Each composition of sentence can serve as a tool to 'change the world'. This potentiality gives 'gift' to our listener as it gives 'gift' to us. Such potentiality allow transcending the moment of NOW into the sphere of CHANGE. Zeldin's brief historical study of conversation reminds us of the opportunity to affect another person: at mind/soul level. Our thoughts truly are 'tools' to teach others. The randomness of prattle is urged to be replaced by the potent and influential weight of words that may register on the inner recording devices of another human. In that considered act (forming sentences of worth) one learns/relearns the value of Jesus implied when he said "whenever two or more of you are gathered together, there I am with you also." Do slip this book into your hands and those of your language intimates! It will yield the deepened relationships for which we ALL yearn (marriages included).

Zeldin explains his intentions of writing this book to stimulate conversion. It certainly has done this in my life. I have discussed this book with people who have not read it. Passionate conversation has resulted.I have learned quite a bit about myself from this book. For example, I learned I am an elocutionist. Zeldin points out in a historic account that elocutionists focus more on the form (proper grammar/style) rather than depth in conversation. I may now overcome some prejudices I have when people fall out of form.Perhaps one of the most fascinating ideas he presents is that conversation with like minded people can become boring. Upon learning this I went straight to someone with conflicting views and had an argument with them. The emotions that came from that conversation were overwhelming and appreciated by both of us. I have the book to thank for this.36 prints of artwork that are similar to what you see on the cover are contained within the pages. I also have enjoyed discussing this art with people.The book fulfills its promise to stimulate conversation. I highly recommend this quick read to anyone interested in the dynamics of conversation, even if you are shy or quiet.